CONFLICTS OF INTERESTSEMPLOYMENTCOUNTY ATTORNEYPRIVATE PRACTICEIf
a county attorney is consulted in his official capacity and not because of the prospective
clients knowledge of his skill and ability as a lawyer, he may not accept employment
in a civil matter. He may not accept civil cases which would interfere with the full and
efficient handling of h is official duties.

Should a county attorney, in a county with a population of 20,000 to 100,000 who is
paid a salary of $4,000.00 or more a year and is furnished with a full-time assistant and
stenographer, under the Canons of Ethics, engage in the private practice of the law, and
in his private capacity in civil matters, accept employment from clients who come to his
office to discuss their "rights."

Opinion

The Committee is of the opinion that if the county attorney is consulted in his
official capacity and not because of the prospective client's knowledge of his skill and
ability as a lawyer, he should not accept employment in the civil matter. They also
expressed the opinion that under no circumstances should a county attorney accept civil
cases which would, in any manner, interfere with the full and efficient handling of his
official duties and that he should not prostitute his office or turn it to his private
advantage. We are of the opinion that if the prospective client did not consult the county
attorney in his official capacity there is no prohibition against his accepting employment
in a civil case. (8-0)